The $40 Million Question: 5 Shocking Things Matt Lauer Does For A Living Now (Updated 2025)

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The question of "What does Matt Lauer do for a living now?" has captivated the public since his dramatic 2017 firing from NBC’s Today Show. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the answer isn't a traditional job title but rather a complex life centered on asset management, private living, and quiet attempts at a media re-entry. The former anchor, who once commanded a $25 million annual salary, has transitioned from a high-profile television journalist to a private citizen focused on maintaining his substantial wealth and managing a sprawling real estate portfolio in the Hamptons. This article provides the most current and in-depth look at the former newsman's life and livelihood today.

For nearly two decades, Matt Lauer was one of the most recognizable faces in American television, serving as the co-anchor of the Today Show. His career ended abruptly in November 2017 following sexual misconduct allegations. Today, his life is defined by the fallout from that scandal, his massive financial cushion, and a secluded existence far from the Rockefeller Center studios where he spent his prime years.

Matt Lauer: A Complete Biographical Profile

To fully understand his current life, it is essential to look back at the career and circumstances that led to his current status.

  • Full Name: Matthew Todd Lauer
  • Date of Birth: December 30, 1957
  • Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
  • Education: School of Telecommunications, Ohio University (dropped out to pursue television, later earned a degree in 1997)
  • Spouse: Annette Roque (m. 1998; divorced 2019)
  • Children: Jack Lauer, Romy Lauer, Thijs Lauer
  • Career Highlights: Host of PM Magazine, Anchor for WNBC-TV’s Today in New York, Co-Anchor of Today Show (1997–2017), Host of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage.
  • Circumstances of Departure: Fired by NBC News in November 2017 after a detailed complaint of "inappropriate sexual behavior" was filed by a colleague.
  • Current Status: Private citizen, asset manager, and resident of the Hamptons.

1. The Primary Livelihood: Managing a Multi-Million-Dollar Real Estate Portfolio

The most concrete "job" Matt Lauer has today is managing his significant financial assets, particularly his vast real estate holdings. Unlike most people who need a traditional salary, Lauer's immense wealth from his NBC contract—which was reportedly paying him $25 million per year—means he is not looking for work.

His primary financial activity in recent years has been the liquidation and management of his luxury properties, a move that has secured his financial future far beyond the need for a paycheck. This process has involved complex, high-value transactions:

  • The Sale of Strongheart Manor: Lauer sold his sprawling North Haven, Hamptons estate, known as Strongheart Manor, for a reported $40.9 million. This sale, which included two guest houses, was a major capital event, transforming a physical asset into liquid wealth.
  • The Sag Harbor Property: He has been actively adjusting the price of another Hamptons property in Sag Harbor, which was listed for over $12 million. The process of listing, marketing, and selling these estates requires significant financial and legal management, essentially making him a full-time asset manager.
  • Other Holdings: His portfolio once included multiple properties, such as an Upper East Side apartment in New York City and another large estate in the Hamptons, demonstrating a consistent focus on high-end property investment.

In essence, Lauer's "living" is derived from his past earnings and the strategic management of his current assets, a process that continues to generate capital and maintain his luxurious lifestyle in the Hamptons.

2. The Private Life: Retreating to the Hamptons and Reconnecting

Following his firing, Matt Lauer immediately retreated from public view, a move that has largely defined his post-NBC life. Multiple sources confirm that he is living a quiet, secluded life in the Hamptons, far from the media spotlight that once defined him.

This private existence is a deliberate choice, allowing him to focus on family and personal projects. Insiders have noted that he has been "reconnecting" with "old friends" and is "doing well in his private life" after a period of isolation. This focus on personal well-being, family relationships (despite his 2019 divorce from Annette Roque), and maintaining a low profile is his current day-to-day existence.

The former television personality spends his time on his farm, focusing on personal endeavors and avoiding the scrutiny of the press. This retreat is less of a hobby and more of a new, non-public livelihood, supported entirely by his substantial accumulated wealth.

3. The Speculative Livelihood: Exploring a Media Comeback

While his current life is private, the long-term goal of returning to the media industry remains a persistent rumor. Reports indicate that Lauer is actively seeking a way to re-enter the media arena, though perhaps not in the high-profile television role he once held.

  • Media Arena Opportunities: Sources suggest Lauer "wants to get back into the media arena in some capacity, if not TV." This could involve behind-the-scenes work, producing, or a less visible role in digital media.
  • The Tell-All Memoir Rumor: Speculation has long existed about Lauer writing a "tell-all" memoir to present his side of the story regarding the sexual misconduct allegations and his departure from the Today Show. This book, if it ever materializes, would be a major financial and public relations event, though no concrete deal has been confirmed.
  • Industry Caution: Despite his desire, industry insiders remain cautious about a potential comeback, recognizing the significant public relations hurdles he would face.

This exploration of a media comeback, even if speculative, represents a significant portion of his current energy and focus, an attempt to redefine his professional identity after the scandal.

4. The Unconventional Income: Fallout from Other Tell-All Books

Interestingly, a portion of Lauer's public livelihood is tied to the fallout from other high-profile books. The details of his firing were extensively covered in Ronan Farrow's investigative book, Catch and Kill, which included serious allegations against him.

Furthermore, his former Today Show co-host, Katie Couric, published her own memoir, which included new details about their working relationship and his reaction to the allegations. While these books do not provide him with an income, they keep his name in the public conversation, which could be a factor in any potential media return. The constant need to manage the public narrative surrounding these revelations is a key part of his current, albeit unconventional, "work."

5. The Final Verdict: Financially Secure, Professionally Dormant

In conclusion, Matt Lauer's life today is a stark contrast to his time as a television powerhouse. He is not currently employed in a traditional capacity, nor does he hold a formal job title. His livelihood is sustained by the substantial wealth accumulated during his decades at NBC News.

The real "work" he does for a living involves:

  • Asset Management: Strategically selling off multi-million dollar properties, such as the $40.9 million Strongheart Manor, to secure liquid capital.
  • Private Life Maintenance: Living a secluded life in the Hamptons, a deliberate choice to avoid the public scrutiny that ended his career.
  • Exploratory Endeavors: Quietly exploring opportunities for a return to the media or writing a memoir, though no concrete plans have been confirmed.

For Matt Lauer, life after the Today Show is defined by financial independence and a determined effort to stay out of the spotlight, managing the legacy of a career that ended in scandal.

what does matt lauer do for a living now
what does matt lauer do for a living now

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